MainSportPep Guardiola: 'Manchester City must win titles to become a big club'

Pep Guardiola: 'Manchester City must win titles to become a big club'

09 January, 2018

Guardiola expects a tough challenge from Burnley, who have been led to seventh in the Premier League by Sean Dyche.

And the rampant Premier League leaders then added two through Leroy Sane and Bernardo Silva to extend Burnley's 55-year wait for a win at City.

Guardiola said: "Maybe that question can be asked in March or April if we are still in all four competitions". Going into the game against the Clarets, a place at Wembley was a minimum of five matches away - ignoring the nightmare scenario of replays. It is a semi-final.

Guardiola failed to win a trophy in his first season in English football but will lead his side into the first leg of an EFL Cup semi-final against Championship side Bristol City on Tuesday.

"But just the fact Bristol beat Manchester United shows we need to take this game very seriously".

"David is a legend for the club and for what he has done", said Pep. "I am happy for him to have made his statement and it is not easy for him to travel to Spain and England back and forth".

"What they have done in the Premier League so far is fantastic".

The Manchester City manager believes it is far too early in the season to be talking about the quadruple.

And they were ahead in the 25th minute when Ashley Barnes pounced on John Stones' uncharacteristic error to blast a shot past Bravo.

"We've always kept open lines of communication with players and agents, we can't afford not to", he said.

Burnley entered the half-time break up 1-0 but City striker Sergio Aguero equalised just before the hour mark after reacting quickly from an Ilkay Gundogan free-kick. We disrupted them and got in behind them and had a few chances. Kevin De Bruyne is likely to play some part having started on the bench against Burnley and Yaya Toure may also feature.

"All the guys who don't play regularly, they were wonderful", he said.

The Carabao Cup (League Cup to the rest of us) has already been one of the more freakish elements to the 2017/18 season, with draws taking place a ungodly times of the morning in the far east or in some cases not at all. Guardiola has already used a lot of his second string in the competition already and given the tie is over two legs will be hoping he can get a positive result in the home game so that he may do the same away from home.

West Ham held by lower-league ShrewsburyJan 09, 2018
Cullen was taken off to be cleaned up and to change his bloodied kit, but did return to the field of play. And, as the first half progressed, they forced Hart, at least, into earnest action.